If you don't pay your tax bill

It’s your responsibility to make sure you pay the right amount of tax.

If you do not pay your tax bill, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take enforcement action to get the money you owe.

Read more about actions HMRC can take to recover tax on GOV.UK

If you cannot pay your tax bill

Contact HMRC as soon as possible if you:

• have missed a tax deadline
• know you will not be able to pay a tax bill on time

Find out what you can do if you cannot pay your bill on GOV.UK

Tax avoidance schemes

Tax avoidance is when people bend the rules of the tax system to try to pay less than they should. If you are found using a tax avoidance scheme, you’ll have to pay the tax due, plus interest and penalties.

If you’re a contractor, agency worker, or working through an umbrella company it’s still your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

HMRC’s ‘Don’t get caught out’ campaign can help you:

• spot the signs of tax avoidance
• check your pay to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax
• report a tax avoidance scheme
• get help to leave a tax avoidance scheme